10 Gauge Magnum

[Researcher]

The Ithaca Magnum-Ten with 3 1/2 inch chambers and the Western Cartridge Co. 3 1/2 inch Magnum-Ten cartridge were introduced in 1932.

The Western Cartridge Co. Super-X load, introducing progressive burning powders to North American shotgun shells, were introduced in 12- (1 1/4 ounce) and 20-gauge (1 ounce) in 2 3/4 in Western "Field" shells in 1922. In 1923, Western added the Super-X 16-gauge 1 1/8 ounce load in a 2 9/16 inch "Field" shell and the 1 3/8 ounce 12-gauge Super-X load in a 3-inch "Record" shell. I use the term "load" because that is what Super-X originally was, a progressive burning powder load put up in either Western's already existing "Field" low brass or "Record" high brass shells. During the mid-1930s, as the use of the older bulk and dense smokeless powders waned Western Cartridge Co. began phasing out the "Field" and "Record" names and Super-X became their high-brass shell and Xpert their low-brass shell. I have two 10-gauge 3 1/2 inch Super-X shells in my collection. The earlier one is the Super-X load in a Record shell and the later one is a Super-X shell. Both have the paragraph on the side of the paper tube -- "LONG RANGE LOAD / USE ONLY IN GUNS WEIGHING 10-1/2 POUNDS OR MORE, WITH 3-1/2 INCH CHAMBERS AND MODERN STEEL BARRELS."

[Roundsworth]

Great info! Thanks. I have examples of both the 'RECORD' and 'FIELD' headstamped 'SUPER-X' shells in my collection. Info on Western ammunition is virtually non-existant.

[Don Kaas]

Actually there are a series of wonderful little booklets on Western Super X shotshell ammunition by the reknown Chas. Askins, Sr. and illustrated by the equally well know Lynn Bogue Hunt. They are often on eBay (see 370546353089). I have 3 different editions of them. Very informative with data both detailed and ancedotal like most of Askins stuff.